From 16-20 August they will look to challenge for the podium across individual and team events in epee, sabre and foil.

But this edition comes with multiple twists as World Para Fencing blends the traditions of the sport with modern vibes.

So what is new for LA 2028?

Get ready for mixed team events

Never before have men and women joined forces in fencing in an attempt to win a team gold at a Paralympic or Olympic Games.

That will all change in 2028 with the addition of the mixed team epee and mixed team foil.

Two men and two women will make-up each team, formed of category A and category B fencers, to make the events as inclusive as possible. Everyone will fence against an opponent of the same gender and category.

Sensational sabre

At LA 2028, for the first time since Athens 2004, both men and women will have the chance to compete in sabre across individual and team events. That is a pretty big deal, especially for athletes and countries, and is something the sport has been working on for some time.

Starting at Tokyo 2020, gender parity was reached in wheelchair fencing at the Paralympics with the inclusion of the women’s sabre. This meant there were eight men’s and women’s events each. That position was maintained at Paris 2024 but the sport wanted to go further.

With the number of Paralympic medal events kept at 16 in total, World Para Fencing had to innovate to make sure the much-loved and thrilling to watch sabre – as well as equality – was maintained.

As a result, at LA 2028, fans will see category A and B fencers go for gold in the men’s and women’s as well as single gender team events in sabre.

It does not stop there…

The cherry on the top for new and dedicated fans of wheelchair fencing are new points formats for all team events at the Paralympics. Mixed team epee and foil will be fenced to 20 points – just four relays to glory. Fencers will also only face opponents within their gender and category, A or B.

The winds of change are blowing in the team sabre too. Teams will have to reach the magic 30 to claim their place in history here and fencers also only face opponents within their gender and category, A or B.

The LA 2028 Paralympic Games opens on 15 August and is expected to feature more than 4,000 athletes competing across 22 sports. Wheelchair fencing will take place at the LA Convention Centre, in Hall 1 from 16 August. The full schedule by event can be viewed here.

Qualification for the Paralympics is just around the corner. At European, Asian, Americas and African Championships from 6 October this year – to the 2027 World Championships in Hong Kong, China – and a series of World Cups on the way next year alone, there will be plenty of ways to follow progress.

Check out how athletes can qualify for LA 2028 here.